The Great Controversy - Righteousness is Love

483delusion. Like the Samaritans who were deceived by Simon Magus, themultitudes, from the least to the greatest, give heed to these sorceries,saying: This is "the great power of God." Acts 8:10.But the people of God will not be misled. The teachings of this false christare not in accordance with the Scriptures. His blessing is pronounced uponthe worshipers of the beast and his image, the very class upon whom theBible declares that God's unmingled wrath shall be poured out.And, furthermore, Satan is not permitted to counterfeit the manner ofChrist's advent. The Saviour has warned His people against deception uponthis point, and has clearly foretold the manner of His second coming."There shall arise false christs, and false prophets, and shall show greatsigns and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive thevery elect. . . . Wherefore if they shall say unto you, Behold, He is in thedesert; go not forth; behold, He is in the secret chambers; believe it not. Foras the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; soshall also the coming of the Son of man be." Matthew 24:24-27, 31; 25:31;Revelation 1:7; 1 Thessalonians 4:16, 17. This coming there is nopossibility of counterfeiting. It will be universally known–witnessed by thewhole world.Only those who have been diligent students of the Scriptures and who havereceived the love of the truth will be shielded from the powerful delusionthat takes the world captive. By the Bible testimony these will detect thedeceiver in his disguise. To all the testing time will come. By the sifting oftemptation the genuine Christian will be revealed. Are the people of Godnow so firmly established upon His word that they would not yield to theevidence of their senses? Would they, in such a crisis, cling to the Bible andthe Bible only? Satan will, if possible, prevent them from obtaining apreparation to stand in that day. He will so arrange affairs as to hedge uptheir way, entangle them with earthly treasures, cause them to carry aheavy, wearisome burden, that their hearts may be overcharged with thecares of this life and the day of trial may come upon them as a thief.As the decree issued by the various rulers of Christendom againstcommandment keepers shall withdraw the protection of government andabandon them to those who desire their destruction, the people of God willflee from the cities and villages and associate together in companies,dwelling in the most desolate and solitary places. Many will find refuge inthe strongholds of the mountains. Like the Christians of the Piedmontvalleys, they will make the high places of the earth their sanctuaries and